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Due to this year's record number of absentee votes, officials in Mississippi say election results could be delayed. In any election, results are never finalized on election night. When races are called, they're done so based on projections. On average, it could take days or weeks before a state certifies its official results. County election officials in Mississippi won't start counting absentee ballots until tonight after the polls close.
So how long before Mississippians will get a clearer idea of who won and what initiatives passed?
"You look at the USPS and how quick they can get those turned around in the mail, that's going to be a factor here in Mississippi as well as the rest of the country. But I do think for the most part the vast majority will be in and counted by Wednesday at noon," said Secretary of State Michael Watson.
"I think that's probably a pretty good time."
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, far more people have cast absentee ballots than in any previous election. Watson says more than 231,000 absentee ballots have been received -- more than double from 2016.
In the race for president, Mississippi College School of Law Professor Matt Steffey says he's hoping for a clear outcome. Although he says, this election is generating flashbacks to 2000 when the campaigns of George W. Bush and Al Gore contested election results for 36 days.
"I think that enough states are going to have a clear enough winner that this isn't going to be a replay of 2000," said Steffey. "It isn't going to be endless court cases and principles of law that seem more political than legal. I hope that's the case."
Absentee ballots postmarked by today and received within the next five days will qualify for this election.
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